One Nation, Under God
One Nation, Under God
In the town of Saco, the position of Mayor is up for grabs as are two spots on the Town Council. Incumbent Mayor Clinton Simpson is seeking reelection and LA (Mac) McIntosh is the challenger. In the town council race, Craig G. Robinson, Roberta Christopherson and Wayne C. Stahl are seeking two council seats, the two with the highest vote total will win this election.
Ballots will be automatically mailed to active electors only of the Town of Saco on October 18, 2017.
What follows are the candidates answers to the same set of five questions asked by the PCN.
Saco Mayor
Clinton R. Simpson vs. LA (Mac) McIntosh
Clinton R. Simpson
1. What is your motivation for running for office?
1. I currently serve as the mayor and enjoy it. The reason for that is I live here too. I only want what is best for the town. The Town Council and I have had to make some difficult decisions due to:
A. Declines in market gas revenue.
B. The decline in taxable value.
C. With the decline in market gas use, we now have to make each Enterprise Fund be self-supporting. Not only do I want that, state statute also says that they must be self-supporting.
2. What is your motivation for running for office?
2. Once again I must say that I will ensure that the Enterprise Funds are fully supported with a reserve which is monitored by the state.
3. What would you do to see those issues or concerns taken care of?
3. The first thing is to make sure the council understands what we have to do. We can and will get through this problem. We do not want to get Browning’s problems.
4. What skills or attributes make you a good candidate for the position?
4. Most importantly, I am not a “yes man.” I have my opinion and usually it is pretty strong, but I am willing to listen and together with the council try to make the best decision for the betterment of the town.
5. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
5. This is a tough question. I am going to answer this in two parts. A mentor is Larry R. Simpson, my father. He told me if your word is no good you’re no good.
Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
Leader: Being retired from the Montana National Guard, I have been to many leadership trainings including Basic NCO Trainings and Advanced NCO Trainings.
Please remember there are many ways to lead, but in my opinion, the best way to lead is to make sure your people are trained and qualified. There is no need to micro-manage. If they need help, they will get it. I have been to numerous training sessions put on by the local government center. If anyone thinks you can run a town without that training, they are sadly mistaken.
Closing comment: With the big scare about running out of natural gas, I have been in contact with the gas companies, made inquiries to ensure we, the Town of Saco, has a reliable source of gas. We are okay, in my opinion, doing well and can do better in the future. Now that the gloom and doom have been said, I would like to add that Saco's major problems have resolved. All audits are caught up with no major problems and on our way to building reserves again. This has been done with limited income from market gas. If you want to keep Saco going forward I would appreciate your vote.
LA (Mac) McIntosh
Candidate McIntosh did not return the PCN’s questionnaire.
Saco Town Council
Craig G. Robinson, Roberta Christopherson and Wayne C. Stahl
Craig G. Robinson
1. What is your motivation for running for office?
1. I'm running again to help ensure the gains we've accomplished in the last year continue.
2. What issues concern you in the position you are running for?
2. Our city services have never been self-sustaining until this year. In previous years the shortcomings of water and sewer were all covered by the income our town received from natural gas sales. Law requires us now to ensure all our services are dependent.
3. What would you do to see those issues or concerns taken care of?
3. There have been several very informative public meetings addressing these issues with very little public participation. Neither of my opponents attended any of these public meetings or came to any regular council meeting. My major concerns are ensuring the cost of living in our community is affordable and our entities remain self-sufficient.
4. What skills or attributes make you a good candidate for the position?
4. I've been on and off the town council for the last 12 years. It's been a privilege that I hope to continue.
5. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
5. My father is the answer to all parts of the last question.
Roberta Christopherson
1. What is your motivation for running for office?
1. Originally my motivation for running for Saco Town Council came from local residents encouraging me to run. I couldn't run fast enough to my decision of, "No I don't have time." However, since that time I have had time to think about what I would like to see change. Saco is an extremely supportive community for it's local people and it's local businesses. I would like that supportive attitude to stay strong in council sessions and in working through our upcoming challenges.
2. What issues concern you in the position you are running for?
2. I guess the biggest issue I have is having our town divided on decisions that have been made. I hear residents grumbling about things that have happened in the past. I would like to see people work together better, even if they don't agree.
3. What would you do to see those issues or concerns taken care of?
3. It's hard for me to say how I would take care of issues that face the city council. Until I have been fully educated on city government and what we can and cannot do, I just can't say. Except of course, that we need to work for the greater good in solving our issues.
4. What skills or attributes make you a good candidate for the position?
4. I would say that experience in business would be a strong attribute for me. Being on the church board has helped me to see how a board works both individually and as a group to make decisions. Much of my business experience has come from working for Saco Dehy, Inc. Being general manager has educated and continues to educate me on what it takes to operate a successful business and work with a board of local directors as well.
5. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
5. I have had many mentors throughout my life and probably can't name them all for fear I would leave someone out. Many of these people both in church and in the local community, by giving of their time and their lives to make the community better. By supporting youth so they may have a good start in life and by supporting everything that makes a community strong. I think of the farmers, ranchers and residents who put their hard earned money together to start the business of Saco Dehy, Inc. were great mentors. Those people knew that they wanted to create jobs in our community so that's what they did. They put their heart, time, money, and their future into a new business! These people were true leaders and have shown me just how important that kind of leadership is in keeping your community strong!
Wayne C. Stahl
Candidate McIntosh did not return the PCN’s questionnaire.
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